Trichomonas tenax

Trichomonas tenax, or oral trichomonas, is a species of trichomonas commonly found in the oral cavity of humans, dogs and cats. Routine hygiene is generally not sufficient to eliminate the parasite, hence its Latin name, meaning "tenacious". The parasite is frequently located in periodontal infections, affecting more than 50% of the population in some areas, but it is usually considered inane. Trichomonas tenax is not found on healthy gums. Its presence in necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (In French, GUN) and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (In French, PUN) make it a possible pathogen, worsening the periodontal disease. This parasite is also present in some chronic lung diseases where recovery is brought by removing it (Mussaev 1976). In the same way recovery is achieved by the removal of both, Trichomonas tenax and the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis.